BP Chats

Very un-sexy question, but in a 15 team dynasty league, do I drop Brad Miller for Mitch Moreland? Miller is my backup SS (Diaz) and also my backup 1B (Encarnacion). (Ryan from Montreal)

I like Miller's positional flexibility, and I'm confident he'll get things going eventually. However, if you're only worried about having a backup first baseman (and you can cover SS another way) then I'd go with Moreland. (Eric Roseberry)

Joey Gallo has a K-rate of 24.6% vs. last year's 37%. He has a pattern of dramatically improving his K-rate during the 2nd-stint/season at a level. Meanwhile, Mitch Moreland has started off slowly. If Gallo keeps this up and Moreland continues to struggle, will/should TEX bring Gallo up at some point this season? TEX really could use some power in the lineup. (Kristen from Canada)

Yeah, I don't think it's an "if" question for him getting PT in Texas, it's a "when" question (and a "what'll he do with it?" question). The numbers to date in an obviously small sample are certainly encouraging. (Wilson Karaman)

Isn't Zach Lee in the mix if the Dodgers need pitching help? If so, why only 4 IP in S.T.?(Greg from Virginia Beach)

Zach Lee should be. I faced him in high school and he gave me the worst at bat of my life. For some reason I got ahead 3-0. He then blew 3 fastballs by me on the black. Anecdotes aside I have no clue why the Dodgers have only thrown him that much. Maybe he's injured, maybe he's been throwing backfield games, maybe he's been in the bullpen trying to find a better secondary pitch.

Lee won't be spectacular at the big league level but he might be the Mitch Moreland of the Dodgers rotation. A guy who comes up and a year later it seems like he's been a staple in the org for the last 5. Hope that made sense haha. (Ryan Parker)

Every year it seems a small group of Rangers Beat writers and fans get behind the idea that Mitch Moreland is going to have a good year, and every year they're disappointed. will he ever become anything more than an oft injured .260 hitter with a little pop?(Kyle Dougherty from New Jersey)

Why would you be disappointed? Mitch will hit 260 with 20. It's not sexy but he is a productive big leaguer. Maybe it's not what some first basemen are putting up stats wise but it's not like he's a blackhole in the lineup. And injuries... yeah those suck. Hope he can stay healthy. (Ryan Parker)

12 team mixed keeper league. Is it worth holding onto Hosmer? He's my only 1B and is KILLING me. Yonder Alonso, Matt Adams, James Loney, and Mitch Moreland are the only decent names on waivers? Would you take any of them over Hosmer or try to make a trade for someone better?(kcasey1029 from Denver)

I'd prefer a trade since 1B is an elite offensive position, but in the meantime scoop Alonso to get some 1B production going. Hang onto Hosmer (unless he's part of the trade), but go and sit him for a bit. (Paul Sporer)

For the next five years, you have the option of Mitch Moreland or Justin Smoak at first base. Probably not ideal either way, but go with me here. Which do you take? Do you believe in Smoak at all at this point?(Steve from Yellowstone)

Daniel, any truth to the thought that Kinsler may move to 1B so Profar can play at 2B in Arlington?
Do you think the Cardinals have a shot at Scutaro?
Thanks!(Chopper from Indy)

One at a time, Chopper!

Starting with Kinsler - that buzz surfaced yesterday, and it's an indication that the Rangers are considering every option to get Profar into their lineup if he earns that job out of spring training. Moving Kinsler to first is a bit tricky, because it leaves Mitch Moreland without a home and blocks Mike Olt, but either of those two could be traded to make it possible. So, yes, I'd say the thought is true, but it's probably not Plan A or B.

The Cardinals met with Scutaro yesterday, so they are certainly in the mix. However, Hank Schulman (a Giants beat writer for the SF Chronicle), tweeted earlier this morning that Scutaro will give the Giants an opportunity to beat any offer: http://sulia.com/channel/san-francisco-giants/f/4c2ca6e3-9ca0-4c48-80a2-6c7e9db46040/?source=twitter (Daniel Rathman)

Either, Neither, or Both: B. Hawpe / C. Jackson make an impact for Rangers this year?(Oh Snap from A Mountain)

Jackson has hit .232/.312/.323 over the past three seasons. Any impact he made will be classified as "dead cat bounce." Hawpe hit .239/.324/.389 over the past two seasons, but part of that was in Petco, and he always had more power than Jackson, but I'd be hard-pressed to call his potential contribution "impact" even if he does well, barring significant injuries to either Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli, or Michael Young that would bring him significant playing time. (Jay Jaffe)

I've seen wide ranging projections for Mitch Moreland. At the price I have him at, I can't go wrong keeping him but am having a hard time figuring what kind of a line to expect from him. Thoughts???(LoyalRoyal from Home of Big House)

Shhhhh, this is just between you and me, but I like Moreland. My only concern is his wrist surgery potentially hampering his power a bit, but honestly, .260-.270 with 20-25 HR wouldn't surprise me in the least if he gets a full season. (Derek Carty)

Love your stuff, and I'm very glad you've joined BP and the chats. Are you going to feature a Tater Trot tracker during the year that will focus on pitcher taters exclusively? Also, can you use your influence to give Mitch Moreland his grand slam back from yesterday?(jhardman from Apex, NC by way of Arlington)

Thanks!

I will certainly do a pitchers-only Tater Trot Tracker at some point. I find pitcher home runs fascinating, and their trots are always so special. I also appreciate the fact that Yovani Gallardo is by far the best home run hitting pitcher currently playing (he had 4 of the 9 pitcher home runs in 2010, if I remember correctly).

The Moreland grand-slam-that-wasn't-meant-to-be is terrible. Even worse, the one highlight I've seen of it doesn't give the whole trot! (Larry Granillo)

I'll jump on the Eric Hosmer bandwagon here. He's made a pretty smooth transition to the major leagues and is also showing power. I like Wallace a lot, too, but he plays on a bad team, which cuts down on his RBI opportunities. (John Perrotto)

I don't think either guy is ever going to become big home run hitters. They'll hit about 15 homers each and drive in a fair share of runs. They aren't premier first baseman but they are not complete zeros, either. (John Perrotto)

Any good comps for Mitch Moreland? Or, if you dont like comps, what are his upside numbers?(Josh from Texas)

I like his bat to be league average at first base, which is just about where he has been over his 239 plate appearances in the majors. He's off to a hot start in 2011, that's for sure. His 90th percentile projection might be a little low (that has him as basically average at first). (Marc Normandin)